Burial casket



Oct. 13 1925. 1,557,042

R. L. FRASER BURIAL CASKET Filed Dec. 18; 1924 gmxm-tom EL, Fran /z awnings Patented Oct. 13, 1925. i

ROBERT L. FRASER, OF MGGRORY, ARKANSAS.

IBURIAL GASKET.

Application filed. December 18, 1924. Serial No. 756,687.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT L. FRASER, a citizen of the United States, residing at McCrory, in the county of \Voodrufl' and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Burial Caskets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to coffins generally, and has for its particular object the provision of a new and improved coffin structure comprising a casket and casket enclosure designed to Withstand moisture while permitting escape of gases therefrom without disrupting the coffin body. A further object is to provide a burial casket which is waterproof and constructed to prevent ingress of Water or moisture into the interior of the coflin.

WVith these and such other objects in view as will be apparent from the description, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which .Figure 1 is an elevation of a casket with the cover in raised position,

Figure 2, a plan view of the casket base with a coflin outlined as in position thereon,

Figure 3, a vertical sect-ion through a casket with the cover in closed position, and

Figure 4, a vertical section through amodified form of casket structure.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base tile 1, of elongated shape conforming to a coffin contour, and formed of heavily glazed porcelain, or other suitable vitrified material of waterproof composition. The base 1s provided with a relatively low upraised wall 2 running around the entire edge thereof and having its upper edge beveled upwardly and inwardly of the base, as at 8.

The base tile 1 is formed to receive thereon a coflin 4 which nests at its bottom within the upraised wall 2 of the base. Contrary to the usual method of coffin construction, the coffin is not closed at its top, which remains permanently open.

A cover 5 is provided, which is formed of material identical with that of the base tile- This cover is adapted to seat over the coffin 4 on the base and is of a suflicient height to seat on the raised wall of the base with an interior clearance between the top of the coffin and top of the cover.

The bottom edge of the cover is oppositely beveled as at 6, to the registering bevel of the raised wall 2 on which it is seated, and depending from the lower edge of the cover extending entirely around the same, is an offset rib 7 adapted to extend over and close the joint of the base and cover edges.

In Figure 4 is shown a modified form which the invention may take, wherein a coffin 4 is seated directly on the ground at the bottom of a grave pit 8, and the cover 5 applied directly thereover. No base tile is employed in this modification.

Burial caskets constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention, are extremely durable, and W111 not deteriorate through rust as in the case of metal, nor. decay as in the case of wood. Due to the fact the plastic material from which the casket is formed is impermeable by moistu-re there is no possibility of ingress of water therein. As a break joint having no positive fasteners between the cover and base of the casket is provided, excess gases in the casket can escape by slightly lifting the cover. The cover will then drop back and due to the construction of the joint, will form a water-tight connection. Such a construction is very efficient and what is a vital factor, a safeguard to the health of communities, as no contaminating or impure liquids can escape therefrom to mingle with a water supply. It is within the province of the invention, that the casket may be assembled at the grave, the coffin being transported thereto, or the casket may be assembled with the coffin placed therein, and transported to the grave as a unit.

While I have illustrated and described certain details which enter into the construction and operation of the invention, I

changes and modifications may be made in the details as Will fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim A burial casket comprising a base formed of vitreous material, an upstanding Wall around the edges thereof and having a beveled top edge, a cover formed of vitreous material conforming in contour to the shape of said base for seating thereon, the bottom edge of said cover being beveled for registry With the upstanding Wall of said base, and an integral depending rib on said cover, gffset to cover the joint of said cover and ase.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT L. FRASER. 

